Indiana University Indiana University IU

Browse the collection

Horse, Rider and Clown

Artist Henri Matisse (French, 1869–1954)
Title Horse, Rider and Clown (Le Cheval, l'écuyère et le clown)
Plate Number Plate V, pages 34 and 35
Series Jazz
Date 1943–1947, published 1947
Medium Color pochoir (stencil) on paper
Dimensions Image: 16 5/8 × 25 5/8 in. (42.2 × 65.1 cm)
Sheet: 16 5/8 × 25 5/8 in. (42.2 × 65.1 cm)
Portfolio: 17 1/2 × 13 3/8 × 2 1/4 in. (44.5 × 34 × 5.7 cm)
Credit Line Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 65.23.5

Share this artwork!

About this Work

The title of this cutout refers to three figures, but the magenta horse is the only figure we can identify easily. The black-and-white design in the upper right is the fancy skirt of an equestrienne seated on the horse's back. The green, yellow, and black design on the lower left is part of the costume of a clown. The long yellow whip of the ringmaster comes from the clown's direction, suggesting that in this circus the clown may play both roles.

Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art has a complete copy of Matisse's Jazz (Eskenazi Museum of Art 65.23.1–.20) in its original slipcase bearing a personal inscription to the artist’s friend Jean Puy, a Post-Impressionist painter.


Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

Publisher Tériade
Printer Edmond Vairel, Paris
Printer Draeger Frères, Paris
Plate Number Plate V, pages 34 and 35
Series Title Jazz

Viewing Information
This artwork is currently off display. You may be able to see this artwork by filling out an art viewing room request.

 

Request this Image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request. This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.

Cite this Page
"Horse, Rider and Clown | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=65.23.5